Lamp shade holder



May 8, 1 H. K. HOFFMANN LAMP SHADE HOLDER Filed July 9, 1955 .m m T v, I! mf M V0 a m m u N} 0 United States Patent O LAMP SHADE HOLDER Henry K. Hoffmann, Cheyenne, Wyo.

Application July 9, 1953, Serial No. 366,936

1 Claim. (Cl. 240-128) This invention relates to a lamp shade holder and more particularly to the type which holds the lamp shade supported on an electric light bulb of a lamp. In this type of holder complementary looped members are rigidly connected to extend from the shade frame and resiliently grasp the rounded end of the light bulb. With such a holder it is diflicult to always maintain the lamp shade in proper upright non-tilted position as any light blow or force on the shade, particularly at or adjacent the bottom part thereof, causes the resilient looped members, because of their rigid connection with the frame, to slip on the smooth light bulb surface with the result that the shade is no longer straight.

One of the objects of my invention is to embody in a lamp shade holding means of the type referred to, improved resilient means which will permit the shade to move relatively to its lamp bulb mounting when acted on by a moving force and then thereafter return to the position it had prior to being forcefully moved.

Another object is to embody in lamp holding means improved resilient means for maintaining a lamp shade straight or properly vertical on a light bulb, notwithstanding the shade may receive a shifting blow or force.

Still another object is to so construct a self-aligning lamp shade holder that it can be easily and quickly attached to lamp shades already in use, either having holders of the loop type for resiliently engaging lamp bulbs or some other type of holder.

A still further object is to so construct a resilient selfaligning lamp holder that it can be easily and cheaply associated with a shade.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing lamp shade holders embodying the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view of a lamp shade and a readily attached holder therefor embodying a self-aligning resilient means, said shade and holder being shown mounted on a light bulb;

Figure 2 is a view as seen from the line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing details of the construction, parts being broken away;

Figure 3 is a view showing a lamp shade holder embodying my invention and being constructed for ready attachment to lamp shades already in use so as to provide the shade with the self-aligning feature; and

Figure 4 is a View, partly in section, showing a different construction employing rubber to obtain the selfaligning lamp shade mounting feature.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is disclosed an embodiment of my invention which is adaptable either as standard production for incorporation in lamp shades being built, or for attachment to existing lamp shades in use so that such lamp shades can have associated therewith structure embodying my invention. As shown, there is the conventional shade S having the frame F built of wire and covered with any desirable 2,745,002 Patented May 8, 1956 fabric or other material C. This shade frame has a top cross supporting form 10 which also may be of wire and by present construction it has extending therefrom the usual complementary loops 11 (shown only in Figure 3) whereby the lamp shade may be mounted by a resilient gripping action on the rounded end of the inverted electric lamp bulb L which is screwed into the socket 12 of the lamp.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is an illustration of how my invention is to be embodied as standard structure in a lamp shade so it has the self-aligning feature when purchased, the top cross supporting form which is made of two wires, as best shown in Figure 2, so shaped at their center as to provide a holding loop 12. Attached to this holding loop is a small plate 13 having an upstanding threaded stem 14 to which is threaded a clamping combination nut and washer 15. The plate 13 has a downwardly extending tube 16 in which is mounted a coil spring 17 having its outer end projecting beyond the tube and attached to a second plate 18. To this second plate is secured the two complementary looped gripping members 19 whereby the shade is to be mounted on the lamp bulb L by a gripping action as illustrated in Figure 1. The looped members are similar to those illustrated at 11 in Figure 3 as being standard construction.

With a shade holder as illustrated in Figure l and Figure 2, there is provided a yieldable member between the shade and the gripping loops which, in the particular structure, is a coiled spring. This spring is weak enough so it will yield readily if the shade should be hit, with the yielding taking place to prevent the force from being transferred to the gripping loops and causing them to slip on the smooth light bulb surface. The coiled spring is strong enough to hold the lamp shade in its properly aligned or straight position on the bulb. As shown, the spring 17 is of the closely wound helical type which fits fairly snugly but removably within the socket formed by tube 16 and is substantially coextensive in length with the socket. Once the shade is set straight on the lamp bulb, it will remain in such condition without the necessity of any adjustment every time the lamp shade may be hit a glancing blow or pushed by a hand. The lamp shade movement merely flexes the spring and, as soon as the moving force ceases, the spring returns to its normal position and thereby re-aligns the shade.

In Figure 3 the self-aligning holding means is shown as being attached to a standard shade already in use. In this shade, as already mentioned, the gripping loops 11 which come with the shade are made from the cross support wire 10. A small washer 20 maintains the tops of the loops together. In making the attachment the threaded stem is passed through the washer 20 and the plate 13 clamped against the tops of the loops 11 where they pass through the washer by the combination nut and washer 15. This then provides the shade with the gripping loops 19 yieldably connected to the shade. The old gripping loops 11 do not interfere with the new loops as the latter will be positioned below the former. Of course, if desired, the old loops 11 can be cut off.

Where the shade, as manufactured, is to have my improved self-aligning holder, it may be desired to permanently attach it to the cross support 10 of the shade. In Figure 4 such a construction is shown and also illustrated is a rubber member as the yieldable means instead of a spring. As shown, there is a top plate 21 welded or otherwise attached to the cross support 10. A second plate 22 carries the bulb gripping loops 23. Connecting the two plates is a rubber block 24. The block may have its ends bonded or otherwise secured to the plates. The flexibility of the rubber block will give the same self-aligning action to the lamp shade as the coil spring in the Figure l holder.

Being aware of the possibility of further holder modifications all embodying my invention, I desire it to be understood that the scope of my invention is not to be limited in any manner except as defined by the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A lamp shade holder comprising a first member attached to the central part of a lamp shade frame, a rigid tubular portion forming a socket depending from the first member, a second member from which depend complementary looped elements for resiliently gripping the rounded end of an electrical light bulb, yieldable means in the form of a tightly Wound helical spring having one end thereof integral with the second member and positioned within the socket, said spring being constructed to fit fairly snugly within the socket and of a length substantially coextensive With the length of the socket whereby the yieldable means connects the members and normally holds the shade in a straight condition when the looped elements grip the bulb but is capable of yielding to permit the shade to move relatively to the looped elements without shifting of said elements on the bulb in the event a moving force acts on the shade.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,738,770 Geyser Dec. 10, 1929 2,008,791 Levy July 23, 1935 2,644,883 Schoenherr July 7, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 604,705 Great Britain July 8, 1948 

